Multiple station control timing device

ABSTRACT

In a multiple station control timing device, a timing lever is movable in an orbital path relative to a plurality of timing units. Each unit has a cam face adjustable into various positions in the path of the lever to cause the lever to be deflected for selectable durations. The duration of lever deflection controls the duration of a timing period being controlled by the device. The cam faces are mounted for adjustable movement in directions generally toward and away from the center of the orbital path, and the cam face is of such shape that the duration of deflection of the lever by the cam face is selectively variable in a predetermined manner through movement of such cam faces generally toward and away from the center of the orbital path. The cam face may be provided with at least two distinct areas of different configurations to provide two different rates of lever deflection duration for the same incremental advancement of the cam face relative to the lever when the lever is engaging the two areas respectively.

United States Patent Hauser Apr. 15, 1975 [76] Inventor:

Fred Hauser, 1544 Midvale Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90024 [22] Filed: Dec. 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 426,810

[52] US. Cl 200/38 R; 307/141; 200/153 L [51] Int. Cl. HOlh 43/10 [58] Field of Search 74/35, 3.52, 3.54;

200/37 R, 37 A, 38,153 L, 25, 27 R, 27 B; 307/141, 141.4, 141.8; 318/102, 443, 444

Primary Examiner.lames R. Scott Attorney, Agent, or FirmMiketta, Glenny, Poms & Smith 5 7] ABSTRACT In a multiple station control timing device, a timing lever is movable in an orbital path relative to a plurality of timing units. Each unit has a cam face adjustable into various positions in the path of the lever to cause the lever to be deflected for selectable durations. The duration of lever deflection controls the duration of a timing period being controlled by the device. The cam faces are mounted for adjustable movement in directions generally toward and away from the center of the orbital path, and the cam face is of such shape that the duration of deflection of the lever by the cam face is selectively variable in a predetermined manner through movement of such cam faces generally toward and away from the center of the orbital path. The cam face may be provided with at least two distinct areas of different configurations to provide two different rates of lever deflection duration for the same incremental. advancement of the cam face relative to the lever when the lever is engaging the two areas respectively.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures ATENTEUAPRISIHYS 3,879,345

sum 1 x 1;

FIG-.1 /70 MULTIPLE STATION CONTROL TIMING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to devices which control a plurality of sequential events of different duration. In such devices. it is advantageous to provide accurate timing for each operation and yet have the length of time between operations held to a minimum. This invention has its greatest applicability in such devices as sprinkling systems. laundry equipment, or other automatic devices having a plurality of sequential operations where the control device may operate an electric switch or a pilot valve.

Systems to accomplish sequential operation have been proposed. Such devices include that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,244,912 and those patents discussed in column I therein.

Generally. the prior art teaches an orbital moving timing cam which interferes with projectable portions of stationary timing units. The distance which the projectable portion projectes into the path of the timing cam determines the duration of the timing period.

One problem with such an arrangement is that not only does the distance which the projectable portion of each unit projects into the path of the timing cam determine the duration of the timing period. it also moves the timing cam a distance proportioanl to the distance which the portion of each timing unit is projected. Therefore. the cam will be moved a different distance for each setting of the timing unit. The continual passing of the cam over the extended projectable portion of the timing unit may eventually result in wearing of that extended portion which may yield a shortening of the distance which the projectable portion extends into the path of the cam which may eventually change the calibration of each timing unit. It is. therefore. a primary object of the invention to provide compact compacy timing device which does not have the problems inherent in prior art timing devices. Another object of the invention is to provide a timing device wherein the timing units are not stationary but are movable. The device should be accurate, especially for timing short durations and should be reliable having the minimum number of parts to decrease cost and increase reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To accomplish such objects, the multiple control station timing device has a timing lever movable in an orbital path past a plurality of timing units. Each unit includes a cam adjustable into various positions into the path of the lever. The adjustment causes selectable durations of deflections of the lever, which in turn controls the durations of the timing period being controlled by the device. The improvement in the device is the provision of having one or more of the adjustable cam faces mounted to allow for movement in directions generally toward and away from the center of the orbital path. Each cam face is of such a shape that the duration of deflection of the lever by the cam face is selectively variable in a predetermined manner through movement of the cam face generally toward and away from the center of the orbital path. At least two distinct areas of different configurations may be provided on the cam faces to provide two different rates of lever deflection duration for the same incremental advancement of the cam face relative to the lever.

The device includes a drive shaft and a connection from the shaft to a controlled device. Each of a plurality of timing units corresponds to a given station for the controlled device. Motor means selectively rotate the drive shaft at a timing speed and at a faster indexing speed of rotation, and a switch switches the motor between the timing speed mode and the indexing speed mode. The lever means are associated with the drive shaft and the switch for rotation with the shaft past the plurality of control stations. The lever operates the switch upon deflection of the lever during adjustable engagements with portions of the timing units in order to drive the drive shaft at a timing speed during engagements between the lever and protions of the timing units and at indexing speeds between such engagements. The timing units are mounted for radial movement relative to the drive shaft in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft. One or more of the timing unit portions includes a body presenting a face of varying lateral width for engagement by the lever for varying the duration of engagement between the timing unit portion and the lever means through selectable radial adjustment of the portion relative to the drive shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of the upper portion of the device.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line Il-Il in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line Ill-Ill in FIG. 2

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the device.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the spring clip used in the instant invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the timing body of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A timing device operates a controlled device through a sequence of timed positions of adjustment. The device is generally supported within a frame which includes a front plate 71 and a rear plate 72 held in spaced apart relationship by spacer 73.

A drive shaft and a means for connecting the shaft to a controlled device in driving relationship is provided in the instant invention. In the exemplary embodiment, such drive shaft is shown at 30 and includes a main shaft 31 and a gear 32 through which rotational motion is applied to the shaft. The shaft is connected in driving relation to the controlled device by means of a crank arm 39 to cause operation of the sequential operations of the controlled device.

Motor means are provided for selectively rotating the drive shaft at a slower timing speed and at a faster indexing speed of rotation. In the exemplary embodiment, motor means 50 includes two motors, slower timing motor 51 and faster indexing motor 52. These motors are connected to gear 32 by pinions 55 and 56 through overrunning clutches 53 and 54 which allow the gear 32 and consequently the shaft 31 to rotate at a speed corresponding to the speed of the faster motor which is operating. Timing motor 51 operates continuously but indexing motor 52 operates only intermittently. The overrunning clutch associated with timing motor 51 allows motor 52 to drive the shaft at the indexing speed when indexing motor 52 is operating without interference from slower timing motor 51. The overruning clutches 53 and 54 allow the drive shaft means 30 to be rotated manually by knob 35 even when both motors are operating. The motor means could also consist of a single two-speed motor adapted to operate two different speeds.

Switch means are provided for selectively switching the motor means between the timing speed mode and the indexing speed mode. In the exemplary preferred embodiment, such switch means 60 operates in a manner to be described hereinafter. Switch means 60 is adapted to turn on or off indexing motor 52. When the switch means has the motor means in the indexing mode. motor 52 will be driving the gear 32, and the clutch 53 associated with the timing motor 51 will be overrunning. However, when the switch has the motor means in a timing mode, the indexing motor 52 will be stopped and timing motor 51 will drive the gear 32.

A plurality of timing units are provided, each of the units corresponding to a given position for the controlled device. In the preferred embodiment. such timing units 20 are generally disposed in a paths around the control shaft on the front plate 71.

Lever means are associated with the drive shaft and the switch means for rotation with the shaft past the plurality of timing units. The lever means operates the switch means upon deflection of the lever means upon adjustable engagement with portions of the timing units in order to drive the drive shaft at the timing speed during engagements between the lever means and portions of the timing units and at the indexing speed between such engagements. In the exemplary embodiment. such lever means are generally indicated at and include an arm 11, a disc 12 at one end of the arm 11, and a diametrically reduced portion 13 of the arm opposite the disc. The lever means 10 is mounted to revolve around the axis of rotation of the shaft in association with the rotation of the shaft. In the preferred embodiment. arm 11 fits between a forked projection 33 on the face of gear 32 and is held therein by pin 34 so that it can pivot about pin 34 while revolving about the axis of rotation of the drive shaft means 30.

A bore 36 extends through the main shaft 31. Switch actuating means includes a rod member mounted concentrically within the main shaft bore for rotation therewith and for axial movement relative thereto. In the exemplary embodiment, such switch actuating means include a rod member 40 mounted within the bore 36 of the main shaft. Slot 37 on the main shaft 31 engages pin 41 extending from rod 40 to cause rod 40 to rotate with rotation of the drive shaft but to allow axial movement between the rod member and the main shaft. The rod member is biased toward a first position relative to the switch means wherein the switch means is switched into the indexing speed mode for the motor means. In the preferred embodiment, such biasing is accomplished by a spring 45 which biases enlarged portion 44 to the left as shown in FIG. 2. Switch 60 is designed so that when arm 61 is moved to the left because of the spring biasing, the switch means will be switched into the indexing speed mode so that indexing motor means 52 will be actuated to' rotate drive shaft 30at its indexing speed.

The plurality of timing units each of which corresponds to a given position of the controlled device are shown in FIG. 1 to be arranged about the axis of the drive shaft on the front plate 71. Such timing units 20 comprise. in the preferred embodiment, body means 21 mounted on the opposite side of the face of front plate 71 and held thereon by suitable mounting means. In the preferred embodiment, such mounting means includes a spring clip 26 with a bent gripping assist protion 26a extending therefrom mounted adjacent the face 75. Plate 71 is provided with slots 74, and a screw 27 extends through the slot and connects the fastening plate 28 on timing body 21 with the spring clip 26 to hold the timing body tightly against the rear face of the front plate 71. The fastening plate 28 is of approximately the same width as slot 74 so that it is free to slide longitudinally in the slot yet cannot rotate therein. Pins 29 extend from the fastening plate 28 into holes 25 on the spring clip 26 to prevent rotation of the spring clip relative to the fastening plate and consequently relative to the timing body 21 and the front plate 71.

In the position shown in FIG. 2 the disc 12 is shown in contact with the face 22 of the timing body 21. That position is shown in more detail in FIG. 5 wherein the disc portion 12 includes a projection 15 which is contacting the face portion 22 of the timing body. In the preferred embodiment timing body 21 is provided with a sloped portion 14 on the side on which the disc 12 enters the face portion 22. The sloped portion allows the disc 12 to ride smoothly up on the timing body.

As the disc rotates in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 5, the projection 15 will move out of contact with the face 22 of the timing body 21, and the disc 12 will quickly move to the right as shown in FIG. 5. This movement to the right is caused by the spring 45 which urges rod 40, its diametrically reduced portion 42 and the head 43 attached thereto to the left in FIG. 2. The reduced portion 13 of the arm 11 fits within a slot 38 of the drive shaft 30 and also fits adjacent the diametrically reduced portion 42 and head 43. The resulting biasing of head 43 urges the arm 11 in a clock-wise direction in FIG. 2.

When the disc 12 contacts the face portion 22 of the timing body 21, rotation in a counterclockwise direction of arm 11 causes reduced portion 13 to force the head 43 to the right in FIG. 2 to move the rod 40 against the bias of the spring 45. Thereafter, enlarged portion 44 moves the arm 61 of the switch 60 which turns off the indexing motor 52. i

In the position shown in FIG. 5, disc 12 is moving in the direction of the arrow under the drive of the timing motor 51 and therefore moves slowly across the face 22 of the timing body 21. When the projection 15 passes the end of the timing body 21, disc 12 will thereafter move to the right which will allow the spring 45 to move the rod 40 to the left in FIG. 2 which will cause switch 60 to turn on the indexing motor to .drive the shaft and the associated cam at a faster rate between timing units.

Each face portion of the timing body is of such a shape that the duration of deflection of the disc 12 by the timing body is selectively variable in a predetermined manner through movement of the timing units generally toward and away from the center of the orbital path of the disc 12. The lateral width of face portion 22, i.e., the width of .the face portion measured along the path of the disc traverse, determines the duration of cam deflection. The lateral width of the face presented to the disc is varied by moving the timing body toward or away from the axis'of rotation of the drive shaft.

Frequently. it is desirable that the controlled device be timed more accurately for shorter duration operations than for longer ones. Therefore. the face portion .22 has two distinct areas thereon, area 23 for shorter duration timing periods and area 24 for longer duration timing periods. An equal displacement of timing unit toward or away from the axis of the drive shaft will equal less change in the lateral width presented and consequently less change in the timing duration if the disc is contacting the portion 23 with less change in lateral width for a given displacement of the timing body than if the disc is contactingthe portion 24 with a greater differential in lateral width for the given dis placement.

Calibration lines 76 and 77 are shown on the front face 75 of the front plate 71. When the top portion of the timing unit is nearer the zero mark, the cam disc would be contacting the narrower portion 23 of the face portion of the timing body so that the lines representing the duration of operation of the controlled device are farther apart for shorter durations at 76 and are closer together for longer durations at 77. Calibration marks 78 indicate the time period in either seconds, minutes, hours or multiples thereof.

Unit numbers 79 represent the different stations for the controlled device and knob point to the station being timed. Normally. the knob 35 is moved from the off position to point to control unit 1. Thereafter, the shaft. disc and knob are indexed by the indexingmotor between adjacent stations. The knob could also be rotated manually to any desired operation. When the desired station is reached, the controlled device will be actuated. Because of the previously overrunning overruning clutch means 53 and 54 only clockwise rotation of the shaft is allowed.

Notch 46 on enlarged portion 44 allows arm 66 on switch 65 to move therein throwing switch 65 to the off position to stop motors 52 and 51. In order to restart the timing device, knob 35 must be manually moved toward position 1 until arm 66 no longer engages notch 46. Thereafter, the indexing motor will start indexing the main shaft until disc 12 contacts the body portion 21 at position 1. The timing device may also be started automatically by receiving an electrical signal from an actuating device similar to the one illustrated in my copending application, Ser. No. 443,380 filed Feb. 19, 1974. The signal acts in a circuit parallel to switch 65 to override the switch to activate the timing device.

Thus, a multiple station control timing device has been shown which employs a timing lever 10 movable in an orbital path relative to a plurality of timing units 20. Each unit has a face portion 22 adjustable into various positions into the path of the lever to cause selectable duration of deflections of the lever. The duration of deflection of the lever controls the duration of the timing period being controlled by the device. Mounting means are provided for movably mounting one or more of said adjustable face portions for movement in directions generally toward and away from the center of the orbital path. Each face portion is of such a shape that and away from the center of the orbital path. The face portions may be provided with at least two distinct areas 23, 24 of different configurations to provide two different rates of cam deflection duration for the same incremental advancement of the face portions relative to the cam when the cam is engaging the two areas respectively.

I claim:

1. In a multiple station control timing device employing a timing lever movable in an orbital path relative to a plurality of timing units, each unit having a face portion adjustable into various positions into the path of said lever to cause selectable durations of deflection of said lever. the duration of deflection of said lever controlling the duration of a timing period being controlled by said device, the improvement comprising the provision of:

mounting means for movably mounting one or more of said adjustable face portions for movement in directions generally toward and away from the center of said orbital path, each face portion being of such shape that the duration of deflection of said lever by said face portion is selectively variable in predetermined manner through movement of such face portion generally toward and away from the center of said orbital path.

2. The improvement in timing device of claim 1 wherein: I

one or more of said face portions is provided with at least two distinct areas of different configurations to provide two different rates of lever deflection duration for the same incremental advancement of said face portions relative to said lever when said lever is engaging said face portion.

3. In a timing device for operating a controlled device through a sequence of timed positions of adjustment including:

a drive shaft and means for connecting said shaft to a controlled device in driving relation:

a plurality of timing units, each of said units corresponding to a given position of said controlled device;

motor means for selectively rotating said drive shaft at a timing speed and a faster indexing speed of rotation;

switch means for selectively switching said motor means between a timing speed mode and an indexing speed mode;

lever means associated with said drive shaft and said switch means for rotation with said shaft past said plurality of timing units and for operating said switch means upon deflection of said lever means upon adjustable engagements with portions of said timing units in order to drive said drive shaft at the timing speed during engagements between said lever means and portions of said timing units and at the indexing speed between such engagements, the improvement comprising the provision of:

means for mounting one or more of said control timing units for radially adjustable movement relative to said drive shaft in a plane generally perpendicular thereto; and wherein said one or more of said timing unit portions includes a body presenting a face of varying lateral width for engagement by said lever means for varying the duration of engagement between such timing unit portion and said lever means through selectable ra- 7 dial adjustment of said portion relative to said drive shaft. 4. The improvement in timing device of claim 3 wherein:

said face of varying lateral width has a first portion varying at a first linear rate and a second portion varying at a second linear rate to provide two differing timing zones thereon. 5. In a timing device for operating a controlled device through a sequence of timed positions including: i

a drive shaft and means for connecting said shaft to a controlled device in driving relation;

a plurality of timing units. each of said units corresponding to a given position for said controlled device;

motor means for selectively rotating said drive shaft at a timing speed and at a faster indexing speed of rotation; 1

switch means for selectively switching said motor means between a timing speed mode and an indexing speed mode; 4

lever means associated with said drive shaft and said switch means for rotation with said shaft past said plurality of timing units and for operating said switch means upon deflection of said lever means upon adjustable engagements with portions of said timing units in order to drive said drive shaft at a timing speed during engagements between said lever means and portions of said timing units and at said indexing speedbetween such engagements.

LII

the improvement comprising the provision of:

a bore in said drive shaft; switch actuating means including a rod member mounted concentrically within said drive shaft bore for rotation therewith and for axial movement relative thereto, said rod member being biased toward a first position relative to said switch means wherein said switch means is switched into the mode of the indexing-speed for the motor means;

and

lever engaging means on said switch actuating means for engaging said lever means, whereby deflection of said lever means upon engagement with a portion of any one of said plurality of timing units moves said switch actuating means axially of said drive shaft to operate said switch means to switch the motor'means to the mode of the slower motor.

6. The timing deviceof claim 5 further including:

means for mounting one or more of said timing unit portions for radial adjustable movement relative to said drive shaft in a plane generally perpendicular thereto; and wherein said one or more of said timing unit portions includes a body presenting a face of varying lateral width for engagement by said lever means varying the duration of engagement between such timing unit por- V tion and said lever means through selectable radial adjustment of said portion relative to said drive shaft. 

1. In a multiple station control timing device employing a timing lever movable in an orbital path relative to a plurality of timing units, each unit having a face portion adjustable into various positions into the path of said lever to cause selectable durations of deflection of said lever, the duration of deflection of said lever controlling the duration of a timing period being controlled by said device, the improvement comprising the provision of: mounting means for movably mounting one or more of said adjustable face portions for movement in directions generally toward and away from the center of said orbital path, each face portion being of such shape that the duration of deflection of said lever by said face portion is selectively variable in predetermined manner through movement of such face portion generally toward and away from the center of said orbital path.
 2. The improvement in timing device of claim 1 wherein: one or more of said face portions is provided with at least two distinct areas of different configurations to provide two different rates of lever deflection duration for the same incremental advancement of said face portions relative to said lever when said lever is engaging said face portion.
 2. The improvement in timing device of claim 1 wherein: one or more of said face portions is provided with at least two distinct areas of different configurations to provide two different rates of lever deflection duration for the same incremental advancement of said face portions relative to said lever when said lever is engaging said face portion.
 3. In a timing device for operating a controlled device through a sequence of timed positions of adjustment including: a drive shaft and means for connecting said shaft to a controlled device in driving relation: a plurality of timing units, each of said units corresponding to a given position of said controlled device; motor means for selectively rotating said drive shaft at a timing speed and a faster indexing speed of rotation; switch means for selectively switching said motor means between a timing speed mode and an indexing speed mode; lever means associated with said drive shaft and said switch means for rotation with said shaft past said plurality of timing units and for operating said switch means upon deflection of said lever means upon adjustable engagements with portions of said timing units in order to drive said drive shaft at the timing speed during engagements between said lever means and portions of said timing units and at the indexing speed between such engagements, the improvement comprising the provision of: means for mounting one or more of said control timing units for radially adjustable movement relative to said drive shaft in a plane generally perpendicular thereto; and wherein said one or more of said timing unit portions includes a body presenting a face of varying lateral width for engagement by said lever means for varying the duration of engagement between such timing unit portion and said lever means through selectable radial adjustment of said portion relative to said drive shaft.
 4. The improvement in timing device of claim 3 wherein: said face of varying lateral width has a first portion varying at a first linear rate and a second portion varying at a second linear rate to provide two differing timing zones thereon.
 5. In a timing device for operating a controlled device through a sequence of timed positions including: a drive shaft and means for connecting said shaft to a controlled device in driving relation; a plurality of timing units, each of said units corresponding to a given position for said controlled device; motor means for selectively rotating said drive shaft at a timing speed and at a faster indexing speed of rotation; switch means for selectively switching said motor means between a timing speed mode and an indexing speed mode; lever means associated with said drive shaft and said switch means for rotation with said shaft past said plurality of timing units and for operating said switch means upon deflection of said lever means upon adjustable engagements with portions of said timing units in order to drive said drive shaft at a timing speed during engagements between said lever means and portions of said timing units and at said indexing speed between such engagements, the improvement comprising the provision of: a bore in said drive shaft; switch actuating means including a rod member mounted concentrically within said drive shaft bore for rotation therewith and for axial movement relative thereto, said rod member being biased toward a first position relative to said switch means wherein said switch means is switched into the mode of the indexing speed for the motor means; and lever engaging means on said switch actuating means for engaging said lever means, whereby deflection of said lever means upon engagement with a portion of any one of said plurality of timing units moves said switch actuating means axially of said drive shaft to operate said switch means to switch the motor means to the mode of the slower motor.
 6. The timing device of claim 5 further including: means for mounting one or more of said timing unit portions for radial adjustable movement relative to said drive shaft in a plane generally perpendicular thereto; and wherein said one or more of said timing unit portions includes a body presenting a face of varying lateral width for engagement by said lever means varying the duration of engagement between such timing unit portion and said lever means through selectable radial adjustment of said portion relative to said drive shaft. 